Theatrical runway.



1. W.,WHITEHEAD.

` THEATRICAL nuNwAY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I5. 1917- Patented Feb. 5, 1918.

Zi, v y x Ml] v UQ-U JOHN w. wnrrnnnan, or CHICAGO, ILLIn'oIs. y l. i

THEATRICAL RUNWAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb.. 5, tilt.

Application filed .Tune 15, 1917., Serial No. 175,046.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN WV. VHITEHEAD, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Theatrical Runways; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in theatrical run-ways, of that type in which the run-way extends outwardly from the stage and over the alining row of seats. p

The primary object of this invention is to provide such a device which will be capable Of adjustment to permit usage thereof with lioors having varying degrees of inclination.

Another object resides in the provision of such a theatrical run-way which will be portable in order to permit the ready removal thereof from place t0 place.

A further object resides in the provision 0f such a knock down run-way having means by which varying lighting effects may be obtained.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of my invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

lin the accompanying drawings ll have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment 0f my invention conu structed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a theatrical run-way showing the same assembled, with parts in section in order to disclose details of construction, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view in perspective taken on the line indicated by line 2 2 of Fig. 1..

Referrin now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which the stage and seats are shown in conventional outline and designated by the numerals 5 and 6 respectively, it' will be seen that my novel run-way is adapted to be extended from the .torward part of the stage and comprises a As it will be readily seen by reference to Fig. 2, the sills 9 have their inner edges recessed as at 10 for supporting the glass or other transparent floor 11, which together with the top face of sills 9 forms the platform of the run-way. The floor l1 is cushl ioned in this recess by means of a rubber or felt strip 12, and is held in place by a metal strip 13 secured to sills 9 by suitable wing nuts l-t and having its sides secured to the inner edges of the sills 9 is a trough 15 in which are disposed a series of electric lamps 16 for illuminating the platform.

Running along the outer edges of the sills 9 are guards 17 from which extend curtains 18 for hiding the row of seats 6 and for giving the run-way a more attractive appearance. .At the forward end of the runway is disposed an arch 19 formed of any suitable electric conduit and to the top thereof issecured aconduit 2O which eX- tends centrally above the runeway and has its rear end secured to a supporting post 21, and intermediate the ends of the conduit 20 are a ser-ies of electric lamps 22 having suitable deliectors 23 for throwing the light downwardly upon the run-way.

The several sections completing this runway are secured together by means of any suitable pins, nails or screws 241, which are such as to permit the ready removal of any or all of the several sections forming this run-way. The lowermost portions of the support 7 engage extensions 25 which permit the ready adjustment therein of said supports in order to accommodate the runways to floors of varying degree of inclination.

It is my purpose to arrange variously col ored lights in the trough 15 in order that various lighting effects may be had and as the speciic means for procuring this constitutes no important part of my invention the same has not been shown in the drawing.

l claim :M-

1. A theatrical device of the class de scribed comprising a runway adapted to extend outwardly of a stage, said run-way including a transparent bottom portion, and means for illuminating said bottom portion.

2.- A theatrical device of the class da llt) .having transverse bracing means, sill eX- t'ension members secured to the lower ends f the support for `pernr'litting adjustment of vthe lieig'lit'thereof, said sill lmembers connecting the longitudinally alined supports having their inner edges grooved, and 'a floor portion fitting in said grooves and forming tv'ith said sills the platform of the l run-Way. 20 n Je A portable v'run-Way of the class described, comprising adjustable vertical supports, a platform mounted ,upon the supports having its central portion transparent,

f means disposed beneath the said transparent vportion yfor illuminating the run-Way, and

means disposed above the run-way for providing further Iillumination for the run-Way.

5. A `portable run-Way of the class described comprising a series of vertical sup- Copisiof this patent may he obtained for ports arranged in paired relation and having transverse bracing means, sill extension members secured to the lower ends of the supports for permitting adjustment of the height thereof, said sill members connecting Vthe longitudinally alined supports and having their inner edges grooved, a t'l.aiis} niieiit floor portion fitting in said grooves, and forming with said .sills the platform of the run-Way, and means disposed beneath the transparent portion tor illuminating the run-Way.

6. A portable run-way of the class dw scribed comprising a series of vertical snpA ports arranged in paired relation and having transverse bracing means, and sill extension members secured to the lower ends of the supports for permitting adjustment of the height thereof, said sill members connecting the longitudinally alined supports and having their inner edges grooved, a. transparent iioor portion litting in said grooves, a trough disposed beneath the transparent portion-v and .lights in said trough.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto set my hand at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois.

JOHN WV. VHITEHEAD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

